Matt Paul’s 4/22/09 WDW Report
Matt Paul spent a wonderful Earth Day 2009 at the Walt Disney World Resort and has plenty of pictures to share with us:
“Celebrate Parking!”
Some new flags outside of Animal Kingdom
Matt Paul’s 3/20-3/21/09 WDW Photo Report
WDWNT videographer and photographer Matt Paul spent last weekend visiting the Walt Disney World Resort and reports back to us with an amazing amount of newsworthy photos to share:
Let’s go there!
Closer…
Toy Story “Wii-mote” Mania Opens This Fall
Anyone who owns a Nintendo Wii video game console and loves the Toy Story Midway Mania attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios or at Disney’s California Adventure park is sure to be excited by this news today:
BURBANK, Calif. – (March 24, 2009) – Disney Interactive Studios today announced Toy Story Mania!, inspired by the Disney/Pixar animated feature “Toy Story,” will be released exclusively for the Wii™ home video game console this fall. Toy Story Mania! showcases an array of entertaining games based on the new Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort attractions, while featuring the iconic characters and humor from the popular Disney/Pixar “Toy Story” franchise.
“The ‘Toy Story’ franchise is a fun, dynamic and heart-warming series containing characters and themes that connect with every age group,” said Craig Relyea, senior vice president of global marketing, Disney Interactive Studios. “Toy Story Mania! combines those popular elements with the unique antics of the new theme park attraction for the ultimate in family entertainment.”
In Toy Story Mania!, players experience the fast-paced, zany fun of the Toy Story Mania! theme park attraction, which is an interactive experience requiring 3D glasses and involving rapid or quick-firing shooting galleries. In addition to galleries adapted from the attraction, the game includes new and original galleries and a series of mini games, all hosted by beloved characters from the movies. The thematically-connected levels are designed for up to four players of all ages with competitive and co-operative multiplayer options. Toy Story Mania! also includes bonus 3D features, transforming the game experience with eye-popping visuals.
The Pixar-created “Toy Story” and ”Toy Story 2” have both had successful box office and DVD sales. The Disney Digital 3D™ theatrical re-release of “Toy Story” is in the works and will open in theatres on October 2, 2009, followed by the 3D re-release of “Toy Story 2” opening on February 12, 2010, leading up to the premiere of “Toy Story 3” in 3D summer 2010. Toy Story Mania! is the first video game to place characters from these films into a carnival game setting and is expected to resonate with fans of the films and the attraction, as well as gamers who like pick-up-and-play party games
Developed by Papaya Studio, Toy Story Mania! will be available this fall exclusively for Wii.
The Yanks Score Big at ESPN the Weekend
BATTER UP!: New York Yankees pitchers C.C. Sabathia (left) and Joba Chamberlain (right) experience the “Toy Story Mania!” 3-D attraction March 1, 2009 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The two hurlers were at Walt Disney World Resort for “ESPN The Weekend,” a special event in the theme park. The Yankees conduct Spring Training in nearby Tampa, Fla. and play at Disney’s Wide World of Sports complex against the Atlanta Braves twice during Spring Training 2009. (Matt Stroshane, photographer)
Major Announcement: Four Parks, “One-Disney”
If you weren’t a fan of “Disney Parks” combined branding, then you’re not going to like the next major step that was taken today. Here’s the press release from Disney:
BURBANK, Calif. – February 18, 2009 – Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, today announced organization changes to deliver a “one-Disney” experience by simplifying the Parks and Resorts operating structure, streamlining decision-making and eliminating redundancy.
“We know that our Guests want a ‘one-Disney’ experience and we must organize around that expectation,” said Rasulo. “The long-term success of Parks and Resorts depends upon our ability to adapt and innovate and respond to Guest preferences. These changes are essential to maintaining our leadership position in family tourism and reflect today’s economic realities.”
Today’s announcement accelerates the evolution of the Parks and Resorts management structure by creating seamless behind-the-scenes operations across domestic Parks and Resorts, while preserving the uniqueness, character and culture of our individual destinations.
In a memo to employees Rasulo explained: “In 2005, we announced a new Walt Disney Parks and Resorts operating structure. We transformed our organization to match consumers’ expectations: ‘one-Disney,’ regardless of how or where they experience our products. We put in place a new leadership team, integrated key business functions and implemented a consistent set of best practices. This allowed us to more rapidly and efficiently roll out new creative projects and better anticipate changes in travel trends.
“We’ve already seen innumerable benefits. Prime examples of our successes are the establishment of many maintenance and safety practices, holiday castle lighting that began in Paris and expanded into our other theme parks, the speed with which we integrated the High School Musical shows into our parks around the world, and the simultaneous openings of Toy Story Mania at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s California Adventure.
“We have made significant progress. However, the long-term success of Parks and Resorts depends upon our ability to continue to adapt and innovate, to respond to ever-changing Guest preferences, and to implement an organization and cost structure that meet today’s economic realities. We must accelerate the evolution of our business and further refine our structure to work in a more integrated and effective manner.
“We know that our Guests want a ‘one-Disney’ experience and we must organize around that expectation. Our new structure will enhance our ability to Identify and Develop the next great Disney experience, Create and Build Disney destinations that incorporate our rich storytelling heritage and Operate them in a way that delivers a unique, memorable experience that transcends geography. Economic realities require that we do this in a simplified and streamlined manner that eliminates redundancies.”
Organization Changes Announced Today
A new Global Business Development team led by Executive Vice President Nick Franklin will combine the existing development functions of business and real estate development. The team will be responsible for driving growth by working with existing businesses on their development strategies, while also exploring new business opportunities around the globe.
Walt Disney Imagineering under the leadership of Bruce Vaughn, EVP, Chief Creative Executive and Craig Russell, EVP, Chief Design and Project Delivery Executive, will be reorganized into a single practice merging resort development with attractions and entertainment development to bring the creativity of Disney storytelling to the design and delivery of products at all Disney destinations.
Al Weiss, President, Worldwide Operations, will lead the work of merging the operating infrastructure at Walt Disney World and the Disneyland Resort to create a single domestic organization and “back-of-house” operation.
In the coming weeks, other functions will review their organizations and make appropriate changes.
In his memo Rasulo acknowledged the challenges inherent in a large-scale reorganization: “Organization changes require difficult decisions, including the elimination of some roles. These decisions were not made lightly and we know this will be a challenging transition. The people affected are our friends and colleagues, and they have made valuable contributions.”
The changes announced today are effective immediately.
What this basically means is that more attractions and entertainment offerings will be developed for both the Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts, rather than just for one of them. This announcement would lead us to believe persistent rumors that attractions such as “Radiator Springs Racers” and “The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Adventure” that are going to Disney’s California Adventure as part of the billion-dollar expansion plan will also find their way to one of the four Walt Disney World theme parks sometime in the not-so-distant future. Stay tuned to WDW News Today as we get more information on this announcement and what it means to the future of the Walt Disney World Resort.
Jose Castillo’s 11/29/08 WDW Photo Update
Here is the final part of Jose Castillo’s photo update from his latest trip to the Walt Disney World Resort. On his last day, Jose visited two of the WDW parks with plenty to report:
Beginning at Disney’s Animal Kingdom for the day
The tree outside the park
Some more decorations
The Tree of Life
Jose Castillo’s 11/27/08 WDW Update
Here is our first photo report provided by WDWNT’s Head Technician Jose Castillo. Here is what he saw during his first day trek through the world:
The gingerbread display at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
A cool monorail tree inside the Fantasia shop
Some work being done on top of the BVG store
The tree outside the Contemporary
Toy Story “Medical” Mania
The following report has been posted by MickeyNews.com:
Though it’s getting rave reviews from park guests, if you have certain health conditions it may not be right for you. “We expected it to be relatively gentle and similar to the Buzz Lightyear ride in the MagicKingdom, but once we got on it we were surprised to find that it was a rough ride,” said Stephen Ashley, author of the guide book Walt Disney World with Disabilities. “For my wife Sarah it was a bit of a shock, and if she had known what it was like she probably would have chosen not to try it because of her neck problem.”This highly advanced interactive ride opened in June 2008, and it’s become one of the most popular rides at Disney. Considered a 4-D experience, it’s inspired by Disney Pixar’s “Toy Story” films. Guests will be “shrunk” to toy size to play an assortment of midway games with the stars of the film; Woody, Buzz, Rex, Hamm and others. Using a spring action shooter gun, participants will shoot 3-D targets for points.
Using newer technology, this experience will be a blast for a large percentage of Disney guests. However the motion and special effects may be challenging for those with certain conditions including neck and back problems, weakness, epilepsy, balance issues and vertigo. It has rough tracks, jerky motion, high speed turns and spins and sudden stops that can feel quite rough. Regardless, many people even with mild to moderate health issues will be able to participate and enjoy it.
Want to know what to expect? You can find a thorough description of Toy Story Mania on www.Diz-Abled.com. It includes in-depth details about the physical and emotional feel of the ride, along with tips for riding with greater comfort. The description is designed to assist travelers in deciding whether the ride is appropriate for them.
Stephen Ashley posts sections of the book Walt Disney World with Disabilities on the official website; however he does not ordinarily include ride and attraction excerpts. “We made an exception for this one ride. We just released the revised and updated version of Walt Disney World with Disabilities, making it current to 2009,” explained Ashley. “My wife Sarah and I had tested out Toy Story Mania after the book went to print, so we decided to write a full article and place it on the website.” That web article along with the book provides readers an up-to-date 2009 version of Walt Disney World with Disabilities. The article includes photos of the attraction including the queue and the ride cars, as well as a link to a video of the ride in motion.
The description of Toy Story Mania will be included in the next edition of Walt Disney World with Disabilities. The book is designed to support travelers with minor to major health and emotional concerns so they can safely and comfortably enjoy Disney to the fullest.
This report doesn’t surprise me in the least. While I think the new Hollywood Studios attraction is something great for all guests, I have seen people in my party who have vertigo take medication such as Dramamine to experience the attraction without any discomfort. The fast motion of the new age “Toy Story Trams” is certainly enough to make the experience unfavorable for those with motion sickness and may lead to some updated warning signs outside the attraction in the not-so-distant future.
John Corigliano’s WDW Photo Update 8/31-9/1/08
WDWNT is back from the not-so-crowded Walt Disney World theme parks with another fantastic photo report. Let’s take a look at all the newsworthy happenings from around the world:
Starting at Disney’s hollywood Studios, this special stage has been set up for the Night of Joy events
Construction on the American Idol Experience
They are painting the entire building in a new blue color-scheme
This is where the old poster that featured a few ABC shows such as Good Morning America used to be.
A few color changes on the tower.
Not sure what this is, signage perhaps?
A few more of the statues have been removed.
We expect this exhibit to make a move to somewhere else in the studios soon…
A Bolt billboard up in Animation Courtyard.
As previously reported, Single Rider has been removed from Toy Story Midway Mania.
The current Cars character meet-and-greet by Pixar Place…
The new meet-and-greet being constructed where Al’s Toy Barn was. Looks like it will have some pretty cool, recognizable, movie inspired theming.
A nice looking Tapestry Woven Throw.
And here’s a new Disney’s Hollywood Studios Tapestry Woven Throw.
You can’t see it all that well in this picture, but the Osbourne lights are starting to be put up.
You can get a better look at the lights in this picture.
The Muppet Vision 3-D balloon is still down on the Streets of America.
More painting on the opposite side of the American Idol Experience building.
The limo is back up on the Rock ‘n Roller Coaster sign.
The attraction was closed for 4 hours due to technical difficulties… A rare sight indeed!
Moving over to Epcot… Innoventions might as well be called Construction Land, as there have been so many new projects going on there lately.
This is where the IBM exhibit used to be.
The IBM logo is still there.
We’re less than a month away from this year’s Epcot International Food & Wine Festival!
Another rare sight, the Sheriff of Nottingham from Robin Hood outside the American Adventure!
This sign at Soarin’ could use some fixing up.
day.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/2818851439_749793f477_b-500×375.jpg” alt=”” width=”500″ height=”375″ />Halloween Decorations are now up at the Magic Kingdom
New statues around the hub on Main Street U.S.A.
They even light up in certain places at night
Banners up at the majestic train station.
Banners on the side of the Exposition Hall.
The Exposition Hall.
City Hall.
Work is still being done on these columns outside the Emporium.
Halloween decorations inside the Emporium.
Very, very short wait times for the Magic Kingdom
The off-season is here
The Liberty Square bridge is one again open to guest flow & parades. It looks pretty good.
However work is still going on in the water beneath the bridge.
New concrete in Liberty Square
The Liberty Bell is behind walls.
They’re working on wiring by & beneath the McDonalds Fry Cart in Frontierland. It’s been going on for 7 months now.
They have repainted the castle stone wall above Snow White’s Scary Adventures (the light tone wall). It looks much better in my opinion.
Same work being done on the Mickey’s PhilharMagic facade.
A funky new Mickey Mouse shirt.
A cool new shirt for the 15th anniversary of Nightmare Before Christmas.
Construction on the new north wing of the Contemporary Resort.
And to cap off this photo report, a billboard advertising T-Rex (and new employees) on the way to Walt Disney World.
8/24/08 Studios Update from Studios Central
The great Disney’s Hollywood Studios focused website StudiosCentral has a new photo report up today. Here are some newsworthy photos:
The single rider line from Toy Story Midway Mania is gone. Expect Fastpass for this attraction to be leaving in the not-so-distant future.
Some strange Orange and Red lights have appeared on top of the strange bridge on Pixar Place
Stage 1 has a new sign telling guests preparation for a new production has begun. This is rumored to be the location where the Monsters Inc. roller coaster is going.
Preparation continues for the American Idol Experience at the Studios. Installation of the proposed jumbo-screens to broadcast the live shows should begin in early September.
Is it just me, or does this area of the Honey I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure seem a little more “buggy” now that it is out from behind construction walls?
More and more busts from the ATAS Hall of Fame are preparing to make a move. Again, this is more preparation for the American Idol Experience.
Work continues on the new Cars character meet and greet location.
Ad for the Tinker Bell movie at the end of Pixar Place, near the Backlot Tour.
To see more photos, head on over to the StudiosCentral photo report HERE.